Leogang Day 5 - Race Day

Today was the final day of the downhill world champs with four titles up for grabs, Women Junior and Elite, and, Men Junior and Elite. Twelve months of training and preparation comes down to one 3 to 4 minute timed run on this one day. I'm as nervous as hell so I can't imagine what the riders go through.
After some early morning drizzle, the weather cleared up to a glorious sunny day where hats and sunscreen were definitely required. Europeans love their cycling events and the finals today pulled in a massive crowd all out to enjoy the sunshine and see the premier mountain bike riders from around the world. Most European countries were represented plus big contingents from USA, Canada, Sth Africa, Sth America, New Zealand and of course Australia. There was even a lone rider from Iran and a couple of representatives from Japan.
The first class decided was the Junior Women and an Aussie girl took bronze behind Canada and Great Britain. The next class was Junior Men and I'm a incredibly proud dad to say my son Connor got bronze behind French and US riders. The Australian Junior men team performed very well overall also placing 5th and 12th in the final. In the Elite Men final, Australia performed very well again placing 4th, 5th and 13th. The UCI awards points to nations based on their best three placed riders. In the Junior Men class, Australia was pipped by France to the tune of 1 point only whilst in Elite Men, Australia was the leading nation point scorer. Aussies produce world class downhillers !!!

Here's the Junior Men presentation podium.........it would have been nice to get the rainbow jersey, but 3rd in the world isn't too bad.




Proud mum and dad with Connor.





Whilst the downhill and four cross world champs have ended, the cross country and trials disciplines now take their turn over the coming days in the nearby town of Saalfaden. For the Fearons though, our time in Leogang is almost over. We're off to Salzburg on Tuesday.

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Location:Austria